South Fulton uses a measured decibel system. Table 1 in Sec. 6-3003 sets limits by receiving zone, distance from the source, and time. Residential daytime ranges from 80 dB within 50 feet to 55 dB beyond 300 feet, with lower nighttime caps; industrial allows up to 85 dB.
South Fulton enforces objective decibel limits through Sec. 6-3003 and Table 1 of the noise code (Ord. No. 2018-010). Measurements are taken at or within the real property line of the receiving property using the sound level meter's slow response setting. The limits vary by the receiving property's zoning category, distance from the source, and time of day. For residential or noise-sensitive facilities in daytime, limits are 80 dB at 0-50 feet, 75 dB at 51-150 feet, 65 dB at 151-300 feet, and 55 dB over 300 feet. Sunday-Thursday nighttime drops those to 70/65/55/50 dB, while Friday-Saturday nighttime is 75/65/55/50 dB. Commercial limits run higher (up to 85 dB on Friday/Saturday daytime), and industrial property is capped at 85 dB at 0-50 feet anytime. Multifamily dwellings have a separate standard in Sec. 6-3003(c): 75 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime measured from the closest neighbor's dwelling. Public-entertainment venues of 5,000+ people are limited to a 95 dBC ten-minute average during daytime hours under Sec. 6-3003(d). Sec. 6-3006 requires measurements by police officers trained on an ANSI-compliant meter.
Exceeding the Table 1 or multifamily limits is a noise disturbance enforced by citation under Sec. 6-3008. Minimum fines are $200 (first), $500 (second within 12 months), and $1,000 (third within 24 months), plus any additional penalty and a possible abatement order from the municipal court.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
south-fulton-ga
South Fulton's code defines composting as treating vegetative matter (leaves, trees, plant material) into a soil amendment and excludes animal waste, food, s...
south-fulton-ga
South Fulton has no ordinance specifically permitting or banning residential artificial (synthetic) turf. Installations are subject to the City's general zon...
south-fulton-ga
South Fulton does not require or prohibit native-plant landscaping for homeowners. The City's tree and development rules encourage ecologically compatible, n...
south-fulton-ga
Rainwater harvesting is legal in South Fulton; the City has no ordinance restricting it. Georgia state plumbing code governs collection systems, allows non-p...
south-fulton-ga
South Fulton does not publish its own outdoor watering schedule; landscape irrigation follows Georgia's statewide rule. Under the Georgia Water Stewardship A...
south-fulton-ga
South Fulton's Minimum Property Standards (Sec. 3-3001) require weeds to be cut and contained. Vegetation over six inches on developed property is prohibited...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Fulton County.
See how other cities in Fulton County handle decibel limits.
See how South Fulton's decibel limits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.